Numbers 1.5-16: Lessons From the Census of the 12 Tribes for Effective Spiritual Warfare.

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1. What’s in a Name?

2. The Hidden Meanings in the Leaders’ Names.

(1) God must be your rock and the source of your fire. “4 With you, moreover, there shall be a man of each tribe, each one head of his father’s household. 5 These then are the names of the men who shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur;”. (Nu. 1:4-5). To lead the military men from the tribe of Reuben, God picked Elizur, the son of Shedur.

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(2) Be at peace with God by trusting in Him, the almighty Rock. 6 of the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai;” (Nu. 1:6). To lead the military men from the tribe of Simeon, God picked Shelumiel, the son of Zurishaddai.

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(3) Seek wisdom from God, who gives liberally to those who ask. 7 of the tribe of Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab;” (Nu. 1:7). To lead the military men from the tribe of Judah, God picked Nashon, the son of Amminibad.

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(4) God gives His spiritual gifts to the meek. “8 of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar;” (Nu. 1:8). To lead the military men from the tribe of Issachar, God picked Nethanel, the son of Zuar.

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(5) A child of God is brave in the face of any enemy. “9 of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon;” (Nu. 1:9). To lead the military men from the tribe of Zebulon, God picked Eliab, the son of Helon.

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(6) God hears the prayers of the righteous. “10 of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud;” (Nu. 1:10a). To lead the military men from the tribe of Ephraim (Joseph’s first son), God picked Elishama, the son of Ammihud.

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(7) God rewards the redeemed in Christ. “10 . . . of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur;” (Nu. 1:10b). To lead the military men from the tribe of Manasseh (Joseph’s second son), God picked Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur.

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(8) God will judge and cut down the wicked. “11 of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni;” (Nu. 1:11). To lead the military men from the tribe of Benjamin, God picked Abidan, the son of Gideoni.

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(9) Help God’s people. “12 of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai;” (Nu. 1:12). To lead the military men from the tribe of Dan, God picked “Ahiezer”, the son of Ammishaddai.

(10) Help the afflicted. “13 of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran;” (Nu. 1:13). To lead the military men from the tribe of Asher, God picked Pagiel, the son of Ocran.

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(11) God provides for us when we seek Him first. “14 of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel;” (Nu. 1:14). To lead the military men from the tribe of Gad, God picked Eliasaph, the son of Deul.

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(12) Have your eyes open for troublesome brothers. 15 of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan. 16 These are the men who were called from the congregation, the leaders of their fathers’ tribes; they were the heads of divisions of Israel.” (Nu. 1:15-16). To lead the military men from the tribe of Naphtali, God picked Ahira, the son of Enan.

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3. Be Set Apart For God.